Doctor admits writing illegal opioid prescriptions

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - A physician admitted in San Diego federal court that he illegally wrote prescriptions for hundreds of oxycodone and hydrocodone tablets for patients with no medical necessity, one of whom was a sex partner.

Thota, a pain specialist with an office in El Cajon, is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 21.

The 62-year-old admitted that in some instances, he prescribed the drugs in the names of the brother and father of one of the patients in order to supply her with the painkillers. The brother and father had no legitimate medical purpose for the painkillers, and had no doctor-patient relationship with Thota.

"This defendant abused his power to prescribe and exploited the desperation of his opioid-addicted patients when abuse and overdose are at crisis levels," said U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy. "We are going after doctors who are not worthy of a patient's trust."

Anyone with information regarding other possible victims is urged to contact the Drug Enforcement Administration at (858) 616-4100 and ask for the Diversion Duty Agent.